Vladimir Putin eyes another 12 years in charge: Former Russian president set to run again

Vladimir Putin has hinted that he will seek re-election as Russian president - raising the prospect that he could remain the country's head of state until the age of 71.

The former KGB spy said of the presidential election in 2012: 'I only have but two choices - either to watch from the bank how the water is flowing and how something is getting destroyed or lost - or to get involved.

'I prefer to be involved.' Mr Putin will be 59 at the 2012 poll. Changes to the constitution at his behest mean the term will be six years instead of four - and an incumbent can seek re-election once.

Standing again? Prime Minister Vladimir Putin fills up his Lada Kalina during a visit to the far east of Russia

He stood down from the presidency in 2008 after serving two
consecutive terms, ceding powers to former aide Dmitry Medvedev while
taking the role of prime minister.

Mr Putin said no one else was capable of building a stable
state in Russia, widely seen as his major achievement since assuming
the presidency in 1999, after a decade of chaos under predecessor Boris
Yeltsin. 'In some countries this is never achieved,' he said. 'It is
not like flipping pancakes.'

Mr Putin is seen as Russia's paramount leader, and it is widely assumed that if he told Mr Medvedev to move aside, he would.

Supporters: Mr Putin meets residents in the Zabaikalski region. The former president is said to be a popular candidate in next year's elections

On the presidency, he admitted: 'It interests me as much as... I
was going to say "as much as anyone", but really more than everyone
else.'

Mr Putin also warned his political foes what to expect if they
marched in protest without the State's approval: 'They will get a baton
round the head. That's all there is to it.'